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Original poster

Booking in appointment - what to expect

32 replies

Miller2 · 01/03/2019 09:28

I have my booking in appointment on 29th March. This is my first pregnancy and I have no idea what to expect. Can anyone shed any light on what will happen etc? I will be exactly 9 weeks on that date. Will they do a dating scan? And is that the same as the 12 week scan or is that an extra one?

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ShowOfHands · 01/03/2019 09:32

It's an admin exercise. Hours of paperwork and a blood test, weight, height. Make sure you know both families' medical histories.

Scans are at 12 weeks and 20 weeks.

Original poster
Miller2 · 01/03/2019 09:43

it says scans are 8-14 weeks. Given that I will be 9 weeks, would they do the first one then? I didn't think I went back until a 16 week appointment. I have no idea what I'm doing 🤣

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Lwmommy · 01/03/2019 09:46

You wont have a scan at booking in as those are usually done in hospital s while booking in is done by MW wherever they are based.

Lots of questions and you get your maternity pack and a huge wadge of leaflets. They will also outline what appointments are expected for the rest of the pregnancy.

1st scan is usually as close to 12 week s as possible as its the perfect time for them to see all the structures they need to see.

mynameiscalypso · 01/03/2019 09:48

You should get a date for the scan after your booking in appointment - if they're done too early (before 11+2 I think) they can't get the measurements for the combined screening.

highlandteajenny · 01/03/2019 10:00

Make sure you know about medical history of your parents and siblings and husband/partner/baby's dad medical history I.e. operations, medical conditions, mental health. I really struggled with that bit as I realised I hardly knew any details about my husband's family! They also asked about my childhood and current living arrangements and lots of other questions and form filling. Take a urine sample you can. I think they use the information to decide if you need to see a consultant at 16 weeks. Congratulations on your pregnancy!

ShowOfHands · 01/03/2019 10:05

They say 8-14 weeks because women don't always reliably know when they conceived but they aim for 12 weeks when they can accurately date and take appropriate measurements for screening. Your booking in appointment is your booking in appointment with your midwife. Your 12 week scan will be a 12 week scan with a sonographer at the hospital.

Whisky2014 · 01/03/2019 10:09

Scans are a separate appointment.
My booking in app lasted around 45 mins I think. Went through all medical history, midwife gave me a book and briefly Went over what a in it, took a pre sample abd a blood sample and that was it.

Original poster
Miller2 · 01/03/2019 10:09

My appointment is at the hospital. I saw the midwife at the gp surgery the other day and has already said it will be midwife led care based on some questions she asked. My head was so all over the place though, even writing stuff down I don't understand my own notes. I think I'll tell DH not to bother. I can take my mum as she's off work that day. If they do say they're doing a scan, maybe I could ask to postpone it as exactly 12 weeks would fall in the easter holidays so we'd both be off work/school anyway.

OP posts:
ShowOfHands · 01/03/2019 10:16

They don't scan at your booking in appointment.

foxsbiscuit · 01/03/2019 10:22

They won't do a scan. If DP isn't going you'll need all of his and his family's medical history.

burritofan · 01/03/2019 10:31

They won't do a scan – you'd know about it if you were having a scan because you need to consent, bloods are taken at the same time to test for trisomies; and they send a letter full of info, how full your bladder should be, etc.

It's just a long box-ticking medical history with wee and blood samples and blood pressure, and lots of info & your notes given to you. Plus a Bounty pack full of absolute crap with, for some reason, the leaflet on vaccinations hidden inside.

Cookit · 01/03/2019 11:38

My first booking in was also at a hospital, but just with a midwife in an office. It’s not anything to do with the scan, don’t worry about that. You’ll probably get a letter with your scan date through the post, the midwife might know when it’s scheduled for.
Lots of paperwork.

Patr1ckJane · 01/03/2019 11:42

It can vary trust to trust. With DS1 1 my booking in wasn’t very long with DS2 who
Is now 8 months it took 3 hours! They asked a lot more stuff.

If you were unsure of your dates (like I was with DS1 because I hadn’t had a period for ages) they may send yoinfor a dating scan a bit earlier but on the whole 12 week scans happen between 11-14 weeks because that’s the window for the measurements they need. Any early date wise that 11 and I suspect they’d just rebook your scan

Changingagain · 01/03/2019 11:46

If you take DH be aware that they're likely to ask him to leave the room for a bit so they can ask if you feel safe at home, supported, etc.
If you take your DM, be aware that there can be very sensitive questions i.e. medical history, past pregnancies (including miscarriages or terminations), past drug use, etc. Not a problem if there's nothing you don't mind her hearing but for me personally, I think it's an appointment that best attended alone so you feel more comfortable talking about anything (mental health history is the big one for me).

TeaforTwoBiscuitOrThree · 01/03/2019 11:56

Paperwork, lots of it.
The midwife came to my house for the booking appt, follow ups were at GP surgery and hospital.
the exciting thing is that you'll get your pregnancy notes, it will have lots of info in it and you'l have to bring that to every appt from your booking appt onwards.

Megan2018 · 01/03/2019 12:00

My booking in apt was 2 hours long - take drinks and snacks in case. I was feeling very woozy then and I needed them!

I had bloods taken and urine sample.

Filled out a million forms, some electronic and some paper and got my pregnancy notes. I also got my exemptions certificate (digital). I was also given a host of leaflets, asked to book flu jab and whooping cough jab. Plus told to take aspirin at 12 weeks.

I didn't take DH as it was really boring to be honest - but I made sure I knew about any family health issues on his side as they ask about that.

Every area does it differently though, I was only 6+1 at mine!

Whisky2014 · 01/03/2019 12:04

Btw I didn't get my notes. I was told id get them when i went fir my scan a few weeks later but unfortunately didn't get them then either. Apparently I'll Now get them at the 20 week scan. The dr wanted to review them because of a blood thing my husband has and she hasn't reviewed it by the time i came in. So yes, you might get your notes but just want to advise you also may not...

Whisky2014 · 01/03/2019 12:13

Oh and i wouldnt bother taking anyone

YouLikeTheBadOnesToo · 01/03/2019 12:35

If your husband can make it, I’d strongly suggest taking him. They asked much medical history, I wouldn’t have had a clue. They even wanted to know about my husband’s, uncle’s diabetes!

Whisky2014 · 01/03/2019 12:37

My midwife didn't need to know any of that in fact only interested in husband and not even much interested in his parents. It was more based around me and my family and my husband.

Lwmommy · 01/03/2019 13:12

I found some of the questions quite funny

MW - who.is this man sitting to the left of you
ME - my husband
MW - and is he he father of your baby
ME - if he wasnt now wouldnt be the time to tell him

mynameiscalypso · 01/03/2019 13:13

My favourite is the 'is your husband related to you?' question.

YouLikeTheBadOnesToo · 01/03/2019 13:48

mynameiscalypso to this day, I desperately wish I’d asked my midwife if anyone has ever said yes!

Megan2018 · 01/03/2019 13:51

@YouLikeTheBadOnesToo
They get loads of yes's - it's very common in a lot of communities to marry a first cousin.